Why American Life Financial?
Strategic lending designed to deliver results: fast decisions, reliable terms, and fixed-rate flexibility.
Quick loan decisions
Loans that move forward typically reach loan committee in 1–3 business days, with daily committee meetings for faster turn times.
- Fast screening with a "Quick No" when not a fit
- Direct access to decision makers
- Efficient intake to keep deals moving
Up‑front underwriting
Front‑loaded underwriting builds confidence and clarity before terms are issued.
- Transparent requirements and timelines
- Thorough property and sponsor review
- Issues surfaced early to avoid surprises
Reliable term sheets
We don't play bait‑and‑switch — we fund under original terms in the vast majority of cases.
- Thorough due diligence before terms
- Backed by a LIFECO balance sheet
- Clear conditions and next steps
Quick closings
Most loans close within 4–6 weeks of the signed term sheet and loan deposit — faster when timelines demand.
- Dedicated closing coordination
- Responsive underwriting and legal
- Streamlined documentation
Short Prepayment Penalties
Among the many things that make us unique is that we offer short prepayment penalties, which are typically only half the term of the loan. For example, 2-year loans have a 1-year prepay fee.
Our Process
A clear, reliable process from application to funding designed around speed, transparency, and execution certainty.
Loan submission
Up‑front underwriting
Issue term sheet
Accept & process
Funding & closing
Certainty of execution
We don't rely on selling loans to the secondary market. When we issue a term sheet, we set aside funds for your loan — helping eliminate last‑minute surprises and retrades.
We've gone years without changing terms on a loan. As with any lender, if an appraisal comes in below purchase price at max leverage, terms may be adjusted accordingly — and we communicate early and clearly.
Our LifeCo Bridge Loans Niche Explained
A 70+ Year Track Record
Since 1954 (yes, for over 70 years), American Savings Life Insurance Company has been making commercial real estate loans. In 2007, American Life Financial Corp. a wholly owned subsidiary, was created to split off the origination business from the life insurance business. Thus, our loans are originated by American Life Financial, then funded and serviced by American Savings Life Insurance Co.
What Does “LifeCo Bridge Loans” Mean?
- LifeCo = Life Insurance Company quality loans. These are loans with conservative loan-to-values (65% or less) secured by positive cash flowing properties.
- Bridge Loans = Shorter-term loans (usually 2 or 3 years) with short prepayment penalty terms (usually half the term of the loan).
When We Are The Ideal Solution
There are many reasons why owners of quality commercial real estate with strong cash flows might want or need a short-term loan. These can include:
- Something about the borrower or the property doesn’t fit the bank’s or most LifeCo’s “box” but a more conservative short-term loan will provide time to get the property to qualify for permanent financing.
- Need to close quickly on an acquisition or 1031 exchange.
- Need to improve occupancy or raise rents before financing with a permanent loan.
- Need sufficient seasoning before financing with a permanent loan.
- In a smaller market than large LifeCo lenders will lend in.
How Are LifeCo Bridge Loans Different?
- Since our loans are LifeCo quality loans (conservative LTVs and strong cash flows), our interest rates and loan fees are lower than more typical bridge loans.
- Since our loans Bridge-term loans, the pre-payment penalties are shorter than typical bank loans or permanent LifeCo loans.
In your corner, at every step
97% of our loans fund under original terms. Up‑front underwriting. LIFECO‑backed capital reserved when we issue a term sheet.
- Fixed‑rate stability with no prepayment penalties
- Daily loan committee for quick, reliable decisions
- 100+ years combined lending experience
Thinking Out of the Box
Anthony Turdo, Chief Underwriter at American Life Financial, shares with our viewers exactly what a chief underwriter does and how important it is to the loan process. He explains how an experienced underwriter can make suggestions to the borrower to get a loan approved. (Transcript)